Thugs attack labour leaders as workers’ strike paralyses government activities in Ogun

Government activities were grounded in Ogun State on Thursday as civil servants commenced an indefinite strike over non-remittance of over 12 months deductions from their salaries.
The development followed a directive by the Joint National Public Negotiating Council on Monday.
As early as 7 am, labour leaders were seen dividing themselves into groups to ensure a successful strike.
To break their ranks, suspected thugs allegedly hired by the state government unleashed terror on ‎some NLC and TUC officials who were monitoring compliance level in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The armed thugs, who were seen on several motorcycles, beat and injured some of the labour leaders near the Water Corporation Junction in the state capital‎.
The injured workers were seen being taken to hospitals.
The entire secretariat at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, was deserted by workers with only top civil servants including Permanent Secretaries and Directors seen at their duty posts.
Workers across the council areas in the state also joined in the strike, while public schools and court rooms remained under lock and key.
In some of the schools such as African Church Grammar School, Catholic Comprehensive High School and St. Leo’s College, all in Abeokuta, students were sent back home.
There was the presence of heavy security personnel at the two entrances to the state secretariat at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
One of the workers said that the strike was justifiable, insisting that the state government should settle deductions.
“The strike is justifiable, enough is enough, the governor should please settle all our outstanding salary deductions,’’ he said.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, however, told newsmen in his office, said that the strike was “illegal, politically motivated and no basis for justification.”
Adeoluwa said that the government may invoke the “no work, no pay rule.’’
“Ogun is currently one of the few states in the federation that is able to pay workers salaries as at when due, in spite of the current economic downturn,’’ he said.
Adeoluwa said that the state government remained committed to the welfare of workers.
In his reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in 2015, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, condemned‎ the attack on workers by thugs allegedly hired by the state government.
He said: “Trade dispute is a normal thing between workers and their employers. And there is nothing wrong for the workers to stage a peaceful protest to vent their anger and call public attention to their plight.
“But it is a misnomer to chase‎ workers with rabid party thugs that turned peaceful protest to a blood-letting exercise. Why is it that protests by the workers or students are being resisted by thugs to the extent of chasing them with dangerous weapons?
“I feel sad with the reports of many harmless women that were brutalised by these party thugs. This is condemnable and uncalled for. It is undemocratic, uncultured and a barbaric attempt to silence labour.”